eSports
Intel® Extreme Masters Sydney 2023: FaZe Clan crowned the first-ever Counter-Strike 2 Champions following an electrifying Grand Final
The Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM) Sydney 2023 Grand Finals have concluded today, with powerhouse FaZe Clan emerging victorious with a score of 2-1 against Complexity. The first international in-person tournament played on Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) saw a nail-biting final, with FaZe Clan claiming the victory after an exhilarating double overtime final set, in what will surely go down as an iconic IEM final.
IEM Sydney 2023 is both the fastest-selling and largest Australian esports tournament in history. Australian Counter-Strike fans returned in force to the first live IEM Sydney in over 4 years, with 20,000 fans in attendance throughout the Playoffs in the Aware Super Theatre.
Group Stage
The tournament commenced on October 16 with a Group Stage during which the teams were divided into two groups of eight. Group A saw MOUZ dominate the upper bracket, with BetBoom Team coming in a close second. Both teams made it through to the Playoffs, alongside FaZe Clan who fought through the lower bracket for their spot, knocking out Natus Vincere in the process.
In Group B, G2 Esports and ENCE secured the top two spots in the upper bracket, and Complexity beat out Monte in the lower bracket final to claim the final spot in the Playoffs.
Playoffs
The Playoffs kicked off on October 20 with the quarterfinals that saw MOUZ, FaZe Clan, G2 Esports, and Complexity make it to the top four.
FaZe Clan showed their strength early during the Playoffs with a 13-0 win over ENCE, the first time a team has 13-0’d a competitor in a live Counter-Strike 2 tournament. Complexity also started their playoffs run strong with a 2-0 against BetBoom Team.
In the semi-finals, FaZe Clan dominated MOUZ winning 2-0, taking the first set 13-4 on Nuke, before converting a closer win of 13-9 on Vertigo.
Complexity also scored a 2-0 semi-final victory, dispatching G2 Esports, storming home 13-8 on Anubis, before winning the second set more comfortably 13-3 on Ancient, with Ricky “floppy” Kemery posting some impressive stats.
Grand Final
FaZe Clan and Complexity both booked their places in the Grand Final with impressive performances during the Playoffs where neither team dropped a map.
The first set of the Grand Final was incredibly tight, with Complexity eventually edging out a 13-11 win in the final round of the set, following a brilliant comeback. FaZe Clan rallied for set 2, winning it 13-11 and bringing the match to the decisive third set.
The third set nearly saw one of the greatest comebacks of IEM history, with Complexity recovering from 9-3 down, to win six consecutive games to bring it back to 10-9. In a nail-biting final few rounds, Complexity continued their magical form to take the Grand Final to overtime, and then a second overtime. Despite Complexity’s resurgence, FaZe Clan were able to recover, dominating the second overtime to take home the trophy, with Robin ‘Ropz’ Kool taking the title of ESL Pro Tour DHL MVP.
“It feels amazing to be the first CS2 champions,” said Håvard “rain” Nygaard of FaZe Clan. “I want to say thank you to all our fans here and around the world. This was hands down the best crowd I’ve ever played in front of.”
“It feels great, we’ve spent so much time practicing CS2 together before this,” said Robin ‘ropz’ Kool. “The first loss against GamerLegion hurt, but we stuck with it and managed to come back. It’s been a turbulent year for us, but I’ve been playing as much as possible, and CS2 gave us the motivational boost to improve our performance and work harder for this IEM.”
IEM Sydney 2023 saw a peak viewership of more than 463,081* concurrent viewers, over 6.6 million hours watched and attracted more than 20,000 attendees.
THE CACHES IV Showmatch
Ahead of the Grand Final on October 22, THE CACHES IV Showmatch Powered by Intel® and Acer Predator took place, which saw Team Australia and Team UK face off once more following a 4-year hiatus. Chad “SPUNJ” Burchill, Joshua “INS” Potter, Christopher “dexter” Nong, Justin “jks” Savage, Declan “Vexite” Portelli, Chris “GoMeZ” Orfanellis (Coach) represented Australia, while Alex “Hawka” Hawkins, Guy “NertZ” Iluz, Sebastian “volt” Maloș, Vladislav “nafany” Gorshkov and Henry “HenryG” Greer lined up in the British corner.
The match started closely, with both teams taking a few rounds each. However, Team Australia eventually got into a winning rhythm and swept away Team UK 13-7, winning The Caches for the fourth consecutive time. The showmatch also marked the launch of the Intel® Core™ 14th Gen Desktop Processor.
The ESL Pro Tour (EPT) for Counter-Strike continues with the currently ongoing ESL Challenger League Season 46, which will conclude on December 3. The year will be closed off by ESL Challenger Jönköping on November 24-26 and ESL Challenger Atlanta on December 15-17, before kicking off 2024 with a bang with the EPT Championship IEM Katowice 2024 on January 31-February 11.
The Global Esports Federation’s pro-series – Global Esports Tour (GET) – will kick off its next season in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in April 2024. Staged by the Brazilian Confederation of Games and Esports (CBGE) and strongly supported by Brazil’s National, State and Local partners. The event promises intense competition and a boost for economic and tourism development in the vibrant city.
GET Rio 2024, the first stage of a multi-year Global Esports Tour slated for Brazil from 2024 to 2026, is set to feature the Counter-Strike 2 championship with eight Open teams and four Women’s teams, competing for the coveted prize bank of $200,000. Beyond intense gaming action, the Rio Free Fire Cup (JEDIS), cosplay performance, conference panels, art and urban culture will enhance this innovative event.
“With the selection of Rio de Janeiro as the launch site for the Global Esports Tour 2024, we are embracing the passion and commitment of the Brazilian esports community. This marks a pivotal moment in elevating Brazil’s position in the world of esports. As we expand our global GET portfolio, we are proud to appoint GEF’s Director of Programs and Content, Eric F. Brinkley, as our first GET Commissioner,” Paul J. Foster, CEO of GEF, said.
“We are honored to host our first stage of the Global Esports Tour over the next three years. This is a tremendous opportunity to showcase the world’s talented esports athletes, promote esports in our region, and develop the esports industry in Brazil,” Paulo Ribas, President of CBGE, said.
“We are preparing an epic event. It will be a great party, a true convergence between competition and entertainment in one of the most vibrant destinations in the world,” Paulo added.
Rodrigo Castro, State Secretary for Events and Promotion of Rio de Janeiro State, said: “In addition to contributing to the state’s economy, esports is a way of transforming lives. It is a privilege to bring an international event to Rio de Janeiro with content including music, the arts and culture. We are proud to be the hosts of this major event for our diverse, young community.”
The support from the State Government, Ministry of Sports, State Secretariat of Sports, and Suderj underscores the collaborative effort to make the Global Esports Tour a transformative experience for Rio de Janeiro and the esports community.
Mario Cilenti, Executive Director of Operations at GEF, said: “Brazil is a key growth region for esports, and we believe this event will not only showcase the talent of professional esports athletes but also provide an opportunity to continue to fuel growth in this powerful region.”
- Gillette joins forces as the official partner of the prestigious Esports Awards, marking a partnership of two industry leaders set to deliver an unforgettable experience
- As part of the collaboration, Gillette will present the Esports Awards pre-show and will feature “Gillette resets” as transitions between segments at the Awards ceremony
The Esports Awards presented by Lexus, the most prestigious night in the esports calendar, is pleased to announce its latest partnership with the world’s leading expert in men’s grooming, Gillette.
As part of the partnership, Gillette will present the Esports Awards pre-show, promising a showcase of talent, innovation, and excellence in the esports world. Alongside this, Gillette has introduced ‘Gillette Resets’, as exciting transitions between segments of the main ceremony.
This partnership marks a significant milestone in the world of esports, uniting the acclaimed grooming brand Gillette with the prestigious Esports Awards to deliver an unforgettable event. Presented by Gillette, the Esports Awards Pre-show promises to be an exciting showcase of talent, innovation, and excellence in the esports world. Throughout the main ceremony, viewers will witness the fusion of gaming and grooming as Gillette introduces “Gillette resets”.
With initiatives such as the ‘Gillette Gaming Alliance’ and the thrilling ‘Gillette Cup’ Fortnite Tournament, Gillette is no stranger to the world of esports and gaming. This partnership, the fusion of gaming and grooming, emphasises Gillette and the Esports Awards joint commitment of fostering and celebrating excellence in esports.
“We are thrilled to announce our exciting partnership with Gillette, a brand known for excellence and precision. This collaboration marks an essential step forward in our journey to honour and celebrate the incredible achievements of esports industry leaders,” commented Mike Ashford, CEO of the Esports Awards, “With Gillette’s unwavering support, we are confident that we can continue to elevate and recognise the extraordinary talent within the esports community.”
Project Love, a welcoming initiative by the Esports Awards, will receive generous support from Gillette. As part of this partnership, Gillette will contribute by providing special gifts to VIPs and guests attending the event. Project Love has been a cornerstone of the Esports Awards for several years, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for its esteemed guests.
The Esports Awards ceremony, presented by Lexus, is the highlight of a thrilling three-day celebration, including the PWR UP Las Vegas esports conference hosted at the luxurious Resorts World Las Vegas. The ultimate esports, tech and gaming extravaganza will feature groundbreaking events like the Esports Awards Open, a unique golf tournament that blends networking and entertainment with industry leaders and celebrities, shaping the future of esports, tech, and gaming.
The Esports Awards presented by Lexus, the most prestigious night in the esports calendar, is pleased to announce its renewed partnership with gaming peripherals brand Logitech G is returning for a second year as Official PC Hardware Partner. Logitech G will also serve as Official PC Hardware Partner for the world record attempt, featuring Kyle ‘Bugha’ Giersdorf, taking place immediately after the Esports Awards main ceremony.
As part of the partnership, Logitech G will present the prestigious ‘Esports Team of the Year’ award. This year marks Logitech G’s second consecutive year as the Official PC Hardware Partner of the Esports Awards, reaffirming their commitment to the ever-evolving world of esports. Together, Logitech G and the Esports Awards further their commitment to recognising and celebrating excellence throughout the esports industry.
Renowned as the primary peripheral provider for top-tier esports tournaments and the official sponsor of esteemed teams including G2 Esports, Heretics, and Astralis, Logitech G empowers gamers to push past their limits with cutting-edge equipment. Additionally, Logitech G champions inclusivity in esports through initiatives like ‘Adaptive Esports Tournaments’, which foster a safe and welcoming space for gamers with disabilities in the esports community.
“Logitech G’s commitment to the esports community is truly commendable, and we are delighted to have them back as our Official PC Hardware Partner,” commented Mike Ashford, CEO of the Esports Awards. “Their contribution to the world of esports is immeasurable, and we look forward to their involvement in recognising the outstanding achievements of esports teams at the ceremony.”
“The Esports Awards are the premier industry event, recognizing the amazing accomplishments and innovations from every corner of the sports worlds,” said Brent Barry, Head of Esports and PRO Series at Logitech G. “Our continued commitment to this industry and community underscores our responsibility to deliver world-class innovation, as we continue to power the next-generation of gamers.”
The Esports Awards ceremony highlights a thrilling three-day celebration, including the PWR UP Las Vegas esports conference, hosted at the luxurious Resorts World Las Vegas. The ultimate esports, tech and gaming extravaganza will feature groundbreaking events like the Esports Awards Open, a unique golf tournament that blends networking and entertainment with industry leaders and celebrities, shaping the future of esports, tech, and gaming.
Following the ceremony, a glamorous after-party awaits attendees. Limited seats are available, so interested individuals are urged to contact the Esports Awards organisers promptly to secure their tickets and confirm their attendance.
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